Auspire’s Cultural Diversity and Inclusion remit recognised in WA Multicultural Awards
Auspire – Australia Day Council WA has been awarded with the Community Organisation Award – General in the 2023 Western Australian Multicultural Awards.
Auspire received the accolade for increasing program engagement and accessibility for people from CaLD backgrounds, including the development and delivery of the WA Australian of the Year Awards, Community Citizen of the Year Awards and the Auspire Multicultural Leadership Program, which was launched in 2022. That same year, Auspire established its inaugural Multicultural Advisory Group.
The Multicultural Awards honoured groups and individuals across 11 categories, which are designed to promote and encourage people to explore and appreciate WA’s cultural, religious and linguistic diversity. The judges said “Auspire has demonstrated a sincere desire to improve its programs and ensure CaLD Western Australians are represented and recognised for their contributions to Australia.”
Auspire – Australia Day Council WA, CEO Morgen Lewis, accepted the award on behalf of the Auspire team in front of over 200 community leaders, dignitaries, and parliamentarians including Premier Mark McGowan who addressed the audience. “We are so fortunate to live in WA, arguably the most multicultural community in Australia. Our cultural and linguistic diversity is one of our State’s great strengths,” he said.
Ms Lewis reflected on the progress Auspire has made over the last two to three years against its social and cultural inclusion agenda. “We recognise that the best way to harness the strength of our multicultural communities, is to work with them to co-design programs and initiatives geared towards advancing multiculturalism, inclusiveness and equitable representation.”
The 2023 Western Australian Multicultural Awards Ceremony was held at the Ritz Carlton Hotel on 14 March, the eve of Harmony Week. The Awards are delivered by the Office of Multicultural Interests and attract hundreds of nominations each year from all around the State.